Dell XPS M1210 Review

It seems that the trend as of late with most laptops is bigger, faster and more loaded. So it’s good to see Dell release a laptop that’s biggest selling point is its weight. At a shade under six pounds including the AC adapter, the Dell XPS M1210 clearly marks its territory as a light and portable system, not a fully loaded monstrosity. Starting at around $1200 and ending up at $2670, this system happily takes its place in the lighter and more affordable end of the spectrum.


The biggest concerns with a system this light is what are you getting for your money? First off, you’re getting a smaller screen than you would expect. The smallish 12.1 inch display is curious in the fact that many similar priced machines with similar weight have larger displays, some by over two inches. The good news is that while the display may be on the smallish side, it’s very bright and easy on the eyes. Good news for those long flights or big jobs that require hours of usage.

Maybe the most overlooked part of a laptop is battery life. Clocking in at just under four and a half hours, the Dell XPS M1210 beats most of its competitors in its class and will most likely be a major selling point.

As with all laptops, the Dell XPS M1210 comes with its fair share of bells and whistles. A neat webcam that swivels around is located above the screen that allows for a wide variety of pictures to be taken. The Dell MediaDirect software is a really cool innovation that allows the user to play music files even with the laptop closed and Windows shut down. A series of buttons located near the opening clasp allows for volume and track control. You might want to use the headphones with enjoying this feature; however, the XPS M1210 has below average speakers for a laptop in its class and may be one of the biggest downers on this particular system.






An innovative feature that’s sure to catch on with other laptops is Dell’s Wi-Fi Catcher, which is a simple switch found on the machine’s left side that allows the user to check to see if there is a useable Wi-Fi signal in the area. A brilliant add-on that most users would actually use.

Overall, the Dell XPS M1210 is a fairly decent machine that seems to have its marketing niche well scouted. It’s light, fairly inexpensive and comes with a bright screen you won’t mind taking notes on for a semester or three. Be aware that the speakers don’t live up to expectations, but with innovative add-ons and a long battery life, this Dell is bound to have it’s share of followers.





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